Hummingbird Nectar Recipe 1 part sugar/4 parts water Boil the water first, then measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use. Do not add food coloring, honey (which ferments), or artificial sweetener, which has no nutritional value. You will need to clean your feeder about once a week. According to the National Audubon Society